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thedrifter
08-29-03, 01:06 PM
Mize's leadership defined by vision
August 29,2003


Twenty-six months. That's not a huge chunk out of a military career spanning more than 34 years. But many things can happen in a little more than two years - and, for Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David M. Mize, it has.

In 26 months, the United States can suffer the most deadly terrorist attack in its history. Young Marines and sailors can be deployed to such far-flung places as Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, Kosovo, Kuwait and Cuba. And community issues with tremendous implications for the future of military and civilian populations alike can arise.

Mize is intimately acquainted with such events. He's lived them, breathed them and participated in them in his tour of duty as Marine Corps Base commanding general at Camp Lejeune. He was often the man in the middle.

He was at the helm of the base when terrorist-piloted planes took innocent people to their deaths on Sept. 11, 2001. It was his job to make certain the facility was secure and ready for anything terrorists might throw at it. Any breech of security at the base would have fallen directly on his shoulders.

Later, Mize would witness the deployment of thousands of young Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune to Afghanistan and Iraq. Those departures meant families left behind, and those families needed support, reassurance and, at times, a helping hand. Mize looked both on and off the base to pull together the resources to ensure those needs were met.

Mize also found himself functioning as the point man for Camp Lejeune in its dealings with the civilian community. It was in that role that Mize made the most of his 26 months.

He introduced a bold new strategic plan for Camp Lejeune that covered practically every aspect of life on base. The plan was aimed at keeping the base moving forward both in terms of operations and quality of life despite a funding crunch that shows no signs of letting up.

The strategic plan also acknowledged that the futures of the base and the surrounding community were intertwined, and Mize seemed to make it a personal mission to bring the two closer together. He pushed for Jacksonville and Onslow County to become partners in planning for the base's future.

Mize tackled issues - such as land-use planning, water scarcity and countywide sewer - from which most local politicians had shied away. Some of his critics might say Mize should have minded his own business, but they lack his understanding of modern realities.

Camp Lejeune has had many good commanding generals - solid military men - but few have dared to shake things up as Mize has done.

In the aftermath of heated debates over the county's Joint Land Use Study and the base-county wastewater treatment agreement, Mize has drawn mixed sentiment in the community. But this is a man who cared more for the community's future than his own popularity and comfort. He leaves behind a community that now actively seeks answers to tough issues rather than ignoring them.

As Mize relinquishes his command today, he deserves great credit for his stewardship of the base and the Marines and sailors entrusted to his care.

He also deserves a heart-felt thank you from his civilian neighbors for his leadership and vision that have positioned the base and community as full partners in the growth and development of our area.

No matter what a person's opinion on the issues that Mize has brought to the fore, no one can deny that we are all better off for having them out in the open and actively being addressed.

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Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

Kegler300
08-29-03, 04:28 PM
I have the privilege of being in the parade staff this evening for his COC/retirement.

thedrifter
08-30-03, 10:55 AM
Camp Lejeune gets new boss
August 30,2003
ERIC STEINKOPFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Brig. Gen. Robert Dickerson Jr. spent nearly a half hour working his way from Camp Lejeune headquarters to the junction of McHugh and Holcomb boulevards Friday night.

It took him that long to say hello to all the old friends ready to greet him along the way to the site for a change of command ceremony.

"I was here eight years the last time and this is a great, warm community," said Dickerson, who took over as Camp Lejeune commander from Maj. Gen. David M. Mize. "It's still a tight-knit group and a place we've always called home."

About 500 people gathered to bake in the late summer heat wave to see the traditional passing of the torch for command of Camp Lejeune. After more than two years on the job and more accomplishments than there was time to mention, Mize, a newcomer to Lejeune when he took over, relinquished command to Dickerson, a career logistics officer who has spent the a large part of his career at Camp Lejeune.

Mize is retiring from the Marine Corps after leaving Camp Lejeune.

Dickerson is returning to the base after a year as Marine Corps headquarters logistical plans, policies and strategic mobility director. Before that he commanded Camp Lejeune's 2nd Force Service Support Group.

The traffic circle at the junction of McHugh and Holcomb boulevards was temporarily blocked for the event and the perimeter was lined with a selection of emergency and construction vehicles at their disposal.

A couple of hundred Marines stood in khaki and green formations and to their left was a sea of white clad sailors.

The ceremony was filled with classic commands, marches, salutes and rendering honor to those in attendance.

Marine Forces Atlantic commander and former II Marine Expeditionary Force leader Lt. Gen. Martin R. Berndt put Mize's efforts in perspective.

"Major General David Mize arrived here two years ago after never having been assigned to Camp Lejeune and just look what he and his Marines have done," Berndt said. "In my view (the base) has never been better. It's always like this in God's country.

"Unlike the Mizes, the Dickersons have spent all but their early childhood here at Camp Lejeune," Berndt joked.

What followed was the standard exchange of unit colors from base senior enlisted Marine Sgt. Maj. Brian Penzak, to Mize then to Dickerson and then back to Penzak.

This symbolized the passing of command and Marine Corps traditions.

"This is our 20th move and it's good to be home," Dickerson said. "Our number one mission is to take care of the Marines and sailors in our operating forces. The golf course is in great shape and I don't have any hobbies, but I plan to get some."

Later assistant Marine commandant Gen. William L. Nyland awarded Mize a Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service at Camp Lejeune.

He noted that under Mize, Lejeune provided a wide range of services for thousands of military and civilians aboard the base. Mize also put in motion a strategic plan for Camp Lejeune, joint land use initiatives with Onslow County and a proposal to sell water and sewage treatment services to the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority.

Mize also was named as an ambassador extraordinaire in the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Mike Easley.

Nyland described the Amphibious Warfare School classroom where he and Mize met as captains in 1974 and reminded the crowd that Mize had spent his first tour in the Corps fighting for his country in Vietnam.

"There is no higher calling, except possibly for the clergy," Nyland said.

Nyland called the ceremony Friday bittersweet - bitter to say goodbye, but sweet for having known the Mize family.

Mize, who left the site in a golf cart with his wife, Jane, said he would not be a stranger.

"My career is coming full circle because on June 29, 1965, I headed off from here to plebe summer at the Naval Academy," Mize said.

"Thirty-eight years and two months later, I'm back. Camp Lejeune is the epitome of all that is operational and best about the Marine Corps. I will miss most not being around Marines every day.

"You can count on us coming back to visit," Mize said.


Contact Eric Steinkopff at esteinkopff@jdnews.com or 353-1171, Ext. 236.


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Sempers,

Roger
:marine: